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Paul McCartney and Stephen Colbert Bid Farewell to The Late Show with "Hello Goodbye"

In a surprise appearance on the final "Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Paul McCartney performed "Hello Goodbye" and ceremonially turned out the lights at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater.

Variety Music·May 22, 2026·via Variety Music

Paul McCartney and Stephen Colbert Bid Farewell to The Late Show with "Hello Goodbye"

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May 21, 2026 10:03pm PT

Stephen Colbert Ends ‘Late Show’ With Joyous Paul McCartney ‘Hello Goodbye’ Performance, as Ex-Beatle Turns Lights Out at Ed Sullivan Theater

By Chris Willman

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Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

ChrisWillman

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Paul McCartney , a surprise guest on the final episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert ,” provided a poignant capper to the series by being given the ceremonial honor of turning out the lights in the Ed Sullivan Theater, a location with which he has plenty of history.

The final number had McCartney and Colbert singing the Beatles ‘ classic “Hello Goodbye,” accompanied by Elvis Costello and Jon Batiste. and joined on stage by a parade of staffers dancing as the house band turned the ’60s tune into something with a New Orleans-style coda.